NAVIGATING WORKPLACE FLASHPOINTS: BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS CULTURES AND BELIEFS
In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in bias-motivated harassment against various populations of people in the United States. Employers have had to grapple with significant political and social issues – which we call “cultural flashpoints” - that have impacted both their business operations and day-to-day employee interactions. How a company responds –or fails to respond –to these challenges can impact employee morale and engagement, community perception and the organization’s overall ability to meet its business objectives.
Workplaces that successfully train employees on how to navigate conversations on political, social and cultural issues in ways that minimize conflict and foster understanding gain a clear, competitive advantage and can immediately reduce reputational and legal risks. Based on your Company’s expectations and policies, Seyfarth at Work’s interactive, targeted and practical training explores cultural flashpoints impacting the workplace. Using innovative tools and techniques, the training helps employees develop skills to communicate respectfully and remain willing to listen to their co-workers’ perspectives even if they do not align with their own. Providing employees with tools and resources to appropriately discuss and value differences in perspectives is critical to creating a work environment that is inclusive for all.
Key elements are based on training templates reviewed and approved in the context of EEOC and DOJ consent decrees. The training can touch on such specific situations/imperatives as:
Understanding bias towards minority religious groups;
Recognizing how politically, culturally and socially charged issues manifest themselves in the workplace;
Respecting and appreciating cultural, religious and political differences;
Avoiding assumptions and stereotypes;
Re-directing conversations that are creating risk or potential offense;
Responding to employee concerns and complaints;
Following-up appropriately –as needed;
Escalating potential risks and issues; and
Articulating and representing the company standard.
